Home to large cities like Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Norman, Oklahoma also has plenty of rural and suburban communities for those who like life a little quieter. There are 3.7 million people living in Oklahoma, leading to a population density that is slightly lower than the national average.
In addition to its eclectic mix of cities and towns, there is some ethnic diversity in Oklahoma as well. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that 9% of the state’s population is American Indian, which is considerably higher than the national average of 1.2%. Culturally competent, evidence-based care is essential if you plan on working in Oklahoma.
There are four schools in Oklahoma that offer MSW degrees, including three schools in suburban areas and one school in a rural area. With an average acceptance rate of 81%, you may be able to avoid a difficult admissions process. Earning your Master’s degree can also be very affordable in Oklahoma, as the average tuition cost is $6,263. By taking advantage of scholarship and assistantship opportunities, you can lower your out-of-pocket costs further.
Each MSW program in Oklahoma is made up of two components: lecture courses and field work courses. Your lecture courses include information on social work policies, behavior and human nature, and social influences on people. In your core year, you take general courses in all of these areas. In your second year, you either pick a concentration or choose elective courses that allow you to explore these subjects in the context of specific social work fields.
Unlike a Bachelor’s degree in social work, which typically only requires field work in your senior year, an MSW program demands field work every semester. Most programs in Oklahoma require at least 900 clinical hours, and some require more than 1000. Your field hours may take you into an array of diverse locations, including hospitals, mental health clinics, and schools.
As a Master’s-level social worker, you can seek employment in a variety of industries and environments. While the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that most social workers work for healthcare organizations or government agencies, they also note that social workers can work in schools, correctional facilities, and private practices.
Some of the prominent social work employers in Oklahoma are Brookdale Senior Living, TFI Family Connections LLC, Shadow Mountain Behavioral Health System, and Fresenius Medical Care. If you want to work in an underserved community, you may choose to open a private practice after two years of supervised experience. This allows you to provide counseling services independently.
In Oklahoma, all social workers must be licensed by the Oklahoma State Board of Licensed Social Workers. You can become a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) after passing the social work exam.
At this point, you can begin working towards Licensed Clinical Social Worker status. You must complete at least 4,000 clinical hours underneath an LCSW. Once you have met this requirement, you can sit for the clinical exam and get your advanced license.
Social worker salaries are affected by many different factors, including experience, licensure level, and employer. Overall, average social worker salaries in Oklahoma range from $30,900 per year to $40,600 per year (O*Net, 2012). Family therapists and substance abuse counselors earn average salaries of $39,800 per year and $38,100 per year, respectively (O*Net, 2012).
The overall job outlook for social workers is bright, and job growth rates in Rhode Island are similar to rates across the country. Family, mental health, and healthcare social workers can expect job growth rates of 13% to 33% through 2020 (O*Net, 2012). Job openings for family therapists and substance abuse counselors are expected to increase by 49% and 25%.
Schools in Oklahoma Offering Masters in Social Work Programs
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus
(Stillwater, OK)
- Masters in Family and Consumer Sciences
- Masters in Housing and Human Development
- $4,425 Tuition Cost
- $5,836 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Suburban Campus Setting
Southwestern Oklahoma State University
(Weatherford, OK)
- Masters in Community and Social Psychology
- $3,975 Tuition Cost
- $3,104 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Rural Campus Setting
University of Central Oklahoma
(Edmond, OK)
- Masters in Family and Community Services
- Masters in Social and Family Systems
- $4,460 Tuition Cost
- $2,162 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Suburban Campus Setting
University of Oklahoma Norman Campus
(Norman, OK)
- Masters in Social Work (MSW)
- $3,957 Tuition Cost
- $4,400 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Suburban Campus Setting